1. If you're using Panda Firewall, did you ensure Windows XP firewall is disabled? 2 firewalls will conflict with each other. Even MS recommends not having 2 firewalls as do most FW companies.

2. Check these SP2 patches which increase simultaneous connections: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...threadid=33712

3. So you tried (a) removing Java & reinstalling & (b) deleting your LW prefs folder? I would highly recommend deleting your LW prefs folder. I would recommend both (a) & (b)!

4. Try changing LW's compatibility mode to either windows 2000 or NT; see point #5 here Fixes for Limewire

Many thanks.
Did every thing on your list and it now functions. Left it running for the last 4 hours and has not shut down on me. Once again many thanks for your help. Still working on increasing download speed